THE S.S. WAIAORA BEACHED.

Patea Mail, Volume XI, Issue 130, 19 February 1886, Page 3

THE S.S. WAIAORA BEACHED.

' WELLINGTON, Feb. 18. Information has been received in town that the Waihora, bound from Hobart ijto Melbourne, struck near Eddystone at 3.25 p. m. yesterdap, and was f beached at Swan Island. The point is , -Wr on toJßfcistern coast of Tasmania, and the island* is a few miles above,hn Banks Strait, iqear Cape Portland. There are no particulars yet to hand. Later. The passengers and crew of the Waibora were saved ] the former were taken on to Low Head, near Launceston, by the steamer Flinders. The Waihora is insured for £49,000, of which *£17,000 is in the Lonbon, and £12,000 in the Colonial, and the company’s own risk £20,000. .MELBOURNE, Feb-18. News is to hand from the cable station Low Heads, Tasmania, that the Union Company’s s.s. Waihora, while on the voyage from Hobart to Melbourne struck On the Eddystone rock point, at the extreme north-east of Tasmania, at 2 p.m. yesterday. The vessel proceeded some distance "after sinking but the TasmanSteam Navigation Company’s s.s. Cross coming alongside, and the water gaining fast in the forehold of the Waihora it was decided to beach her at Swan Island, Bank Straits, which was accordingly clone. The crew and passengers were] safely ■ landed at Swan Island, and the latter were afterwards transferred by the Southern Cross to Lowe Heads, whence they will be picked up and brought ;o Melbourne by the s.s. Flinders tomorrow. . Later. The Waihora left Hobart on Tuesday evening for Melbourne, having on board over 200 passengers, and the weather being fine. When abreast of the Eddystone the vessel struck on a rock, which she passed over. She was immediately put hack into Sandy Bay, but afterwards steamed on to Swan Island, where, as she was making water fast, and had eight feet of her plating knocked off the bow, she was beached, and now lies with seven feet of water in the hold The|Southern Cross was alongside at 4 p.m., and rendered every assistance required. Captain McGee and the crow of the'^Waihora remain with the ship It is stated that the rock was not marked on the charts.

Later advices regarding the Waihora afcite that the vessel has settled down on the Sand about a hundred yards distant from the shore. Strenuous exertion arc being made by the officers and crew to save the horses. The weather continues favourable, and .hopes are entertained that the live stock will be safely got ashore. The 1 steamer Etherole and the tug Troncan have been despatched with pumps to Swan Island. It lias been arranged that the Southern Cross shall bring on the Waihcra’s paiiengcrs to Melbourne.

(Received Feb 19th, 11.30 a.m.) ■ It is expected that the Waihora will be floated safely